The Massive SF/MIA/PHI Trade and its Ripple Effects
The NFL Draft was shaken up in a big way on Friday when not one, but two trades took place between three teams that were set to pick in the top-15. The first trade involved the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins. The 49ers have moved moved up to the No. 3 pick, previous held by Miami, and in return the Dolphins received No. 12, 2022 and 2023 first round picks, and a 2022 third round pick.
However, Miami wasn’t done there. Instead of resting on their laurels, they moved back into the top-10 in another trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. They got Philly’s No. 6 pick and gave Philly No. 12, a 2021 fourth rounder, and Miami’s 2022 first rounder. So, after all that, Miami essentially gained a first and a third round pick to move down three spots.
Not only is that a very good haul, but Miami honestly should be able to get almost anyone they would have wanted, anyway. Jacksonville, New York, and San Francisco will all more than likely be taking quarterbacks, and it wouldn’t be shocking if Atlanta jumped in on a QB prospect too. This has major implications for the QBs currently on these teams, too. It would’ve been quite surprising if Miami took a QB, but it officially seems like they are comfortable with letting Tua run the show. While Philly reportedly tried to move up to No. 3 as well to pick Zach Wilson, Jalen Hurts should be set to go into the 2021 season under center as well.
The same cannot be said about San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo. As much as the franchise wants to say Jimmy is the guy, the tea leaves say something completely different. His time is limited at the very least. This move should also take them out of the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes (if that even exists anymore given the allegations against him). With their hat falling out of the ring, the two that legitimately remain are Denver and Carolina.
Finally, this news should have the teams picking in the mid-to-late first round salivating. There was already a massive emphasis on QBs early in the round, and it just got even greater. This will allow more of the top skill players to fall even further down the board for teams like Dallas, Minnesota, and New England.
Biggest Winner: Tua Tagovailoa
Biggest Loser: Philadelphia Eagles